Direct speech: inverted commas
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify inverted commas in a speech sentence.
Key learning points
- Writers can use speech sentences to show a character speaking in a text.
- If a character speaks, the writer must signal this with specific punctuation.
- Inverted commas are the punctuation marks that signal direct speech to the reader.
- Direct speech is the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text.
- Direct speech helps us learn more about characters in a text.
Keywords
Direct speech - the term used for a character speaking out loud in a text
Inverted commas - a pair of punctuation marks that signal direct speech to the reader
Signal - show or direct attention to
Common misconception
Pupils may use the informal term 'speech marks'.
'speech marks' is a term that signals the same thing as 'inverted commas' i.e. the dialogue in a sentence, but it is better to use the grammatical term 'inverted commas'.
Teacher tip
Ensure that you use the same graphics for speech punctuation (as shown in the slides) consistently in all grammar and writing lessons to support retention.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is a character?
Q2.What is a plot?
Q3.Which group is an example of three different punctuation marks?
Q4.What does a full stop do?
Q5.Which of these could be the title of a story?
Q6.Which of these are synonyms (words that mean the same) for the word 'said'?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What is the term for a character speaking out loud in a text?
Q2.Which bit of this sentence is the direct speech? What's the matter she asked kindly.
Q3.What is the first word of this direct speech? "Please don't hurt me" Jerry begged urgently.
Q4.Which of these punctuation marks are inverted commas?
Q5.What does 'signal' mean?
Q6.What can we learn about a character in a story from what they say?
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Direct speech: inverted commas, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 English lesson on: Direct speech: inverted commas, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Speech first punctuation and apostrophes unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.